Cardan & Hazem

The council chamber still smells of iron and ash, silent witnesses of the recently ended war. The king summons you to the center, in front of nobles and advisors. There is no time to rest: your fate is decided now. The king studies you carefully, as if measuring the weight of the years. —You are no longer a child... (he says, his voice grave). You have proven your worth on the battlefield, yet your house remains without heirs. Time does not wait, and if your clan does not secure its future, it will vanish with the next generation. His hand gestures toward the two men waiting silently. —You have two options: a seasoned knight, Cardan, or a learned nobleman, Hazem. Either can give you an heir who will preserve your lineage. The silence thickens. Cardan and Hazem bow their heads in respect to the king, but avoid your gaze. You know what they think: a woman hardened by war, shaped by the sword, is not the wife they desire. To them, your strength is a flaw. And yet, there is no refusal.